Leaflet valve

• US 20040092858A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HLT, Inc. (Bracco SPA)
• Original Assignee: Heart Leaflet Technologies, Inc. (Bracco SPA)
• Inventors: Pokorney, James L., Wilson, Robert Foster, Wilson, Scott Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/651,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20040092858A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2463 Implants forming part of the valve leaflets
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/904 Heart

Abstract

A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.

Claims

1. A heart valve comprising:

a valve position securement structure;

a flow control mechanism coupled to said valve position securement structure; and

,

said valve position securement structure sized and shaped for placement in a leaflet of a native heart valve.

2. A heart valve according to claim 1, wherein said position securement structure comprises an expandable cuff having a thickness at least as thick as said leaflet of a native heart valve.

3. A heart valve according to claim 2, wherein said cuff includes a plurality of radial extensions extending from said cuff and engagable with said leaflet of a native heart valve so as to secure said cuff in said leaflet of a native heart valve.

4. A heart valve according to claim 2, wherein said heart valve further comprises a sizing ring coupled to said cuff and configured to constrain expansion of said cuff to a substantially predetermined state.

5. A heart valve according to claim 4, wherein said sizing ring is disposed around a mid-portion of said cuff.

6. A heart valve according to claim 1, wherein said flow control mechanism comprises a sleeve containing a plurality of valve members.

7. A heart valve according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of valve members includes duck bill members.

8. A heart valve according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of valve members includes leaflets disposed on a stent form.

9. A heart valve according to claim 8, wherein said leaflets are comprised of material selected from the group consisting of biologic tissue, polymer material, and composite synthetic/biologic material.

10. A device to increase fluid flow through a mammalian valve comprising:

a valve mechanism containing a lumen therein;

said valve mechanism actuatable so as to place said lumen in one of an open and closed state;

an anchoring structure connected to said valve mechanism; and

,

said anchoring structure sized and shaped for attachment to a leaflet of said mammalian valve.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said valve mechanism includes a housing structure and a valve member disposed on said housing structure.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said valve mechanism comprises a harvested tissue valve.

13. A device according to claim 11, wherein said valve mechanism comprises leaflets mounted on a scaffold.

14. A device according to claim 10, wherein said anchoring structure includes a plurality of barbs extending radially outwardly from said valve mechanism.

15. A device according to claim 10, wherein said anchoring structure comprises a cuff having a plurality of legs extending therefrom, said legs sized and shaped to engage leaflet tissue.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said anchoring structure further comprises a sizing ring disposed around said cuff;

said sizing ring sized and shaped so as to constrain expansion of said cuff.

17. A valve device for treating a diseased valve comprising:

means for controlling fluid flow;

means for anchoring said fluid flow controlling means at a target site;

said means for controlling and said means for anchoring being connected to each other; and

,

said means for anchoring being sized to fit on a leaflet of said diseased valve.

18. A valve device according to claim 17, wherein said means for controlling fluid flow is selected from the group consisting of:

a duckbill valve, a hinged valve;

a leaflet valve;

a harvested valve, a tissue valve, a synthetic valve and a composite valve.

19. A valve device according to claim 17, wherein said means for anchoring includes a structure having external retention means.

20. A valve device according to claim 17, wherein said means for anchoring is expandable and includes a means for constraining the expansion of said means for anchoring.